Priest’s death in Syria should be call to action

It is perhaps difficult for citizens of this country of rights and privilege to understand what it means to live in a state of war. Many of the older, greatest generation who suffered the collateral privations of World War II have some understanding of what it means to be hungry, but not since the Civil War have bullets ripped through our cities and towns (except, of course, the ones we aim at each other out of twisted criminality).

But even though we may not be able to empathize, we need to sympathize with men, women and most especially children who have slipped from the front pages of the newspapers but who are still behind that “line” President Obama said could not be crossed without responsive action from the United States.

So, where is that action? Are we going to shrug our shoulders and say “it’s their problem” or “it’s complicated” or “the rebels are worse than Assad”? We were able to say that before and hide in the thicket of politics.

But the courage of a modern martyr, a man who stared down his persecutors and made the supreme sacrifice, should shame us into action, even if that action is simply to scream out “STOP!” It’s a start.

My church urges forgiveness, but I cannot forgive the assassination of an elderly Jesuit. What I can do is ask all of you to remember his name and realize that the people of Syria are no different from the people on our buses, in our schools and at our tables. If we can remember that, and understand that Father van der Lugt stood up for their humanity in the face of inhumanity, his martyrdom will not have been in vain.

Christine M. Flowers: Priest’s execution in Syria should be call to action